India 'concerned' over China running Pakistan port

Pakistan's decision to hand over strategic Gwadar port to China is a matter of "serious concern" for India, Defence Minister A K Antony said on Wednesday.

"Chinese are now constructing that port on Pakistan's request. In one sentence, I can say that it is a matter of concern to us. My answer is simple and straightforward," he said at the Aero India press conference here.

The Minister was responding to a media query if the handing over of Gwadar port in Pakistan to China would make India's western frontiers more vulnerable.

Gwadar port is situated at a strategic location as it is located at the apex of the Arabian Sea and the mouth of the Persian Gulf. It is also only about 400 kms away from the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil supply route.

The Minister's remarks in the backdrop of reports in Chinese official media that the port development was not an attempt by the Chinese side to 'encircle' India.

Pakistan had recently approved a deal that transfers operational control of Gwadar port from Singapore's PSA International to Chinese Overseas Port Holdings Ltd.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry had also defended Beijing's decision to take over the Gwadar port operations as it is part of the continued cooperation between the two countries.

Besides funding ports in Sri Lanka, China has also been approached to help build a port in Bangladesh.

Asked about how India is preparing to deal with the situation post 2014 when American troops pullout from Af-Pak region, Antony said, "even before Afghan pullout, geopolitical situation around us is very critical and government is aware of it and we are taking steps to meet any eventuality."

"The pullout by US and others from there 2014 onwards is a matter of serious concern to us. We are taking sufficient steps to safeguard our security. Our armed forces are also confident to face any challenges and we are equipping them for this purpose," he said.

The US and its allies, whose forces are present in Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks in America, plan to pullout their troops from the Af-Pak region by 2014 and hand over the security of the country to local police and military.